Why did US and Israel attack Iran and how long could the war last?
Why Did US and Israel Attack Iran, and How Long Could the War Last?
Following a series of strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran on 28 February, the Middle East conflict has intensified. The attacks targeted Iran’s missile capabilities, military installations, and key leadership figures in Tehran and other regions. Among the casualties was Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, who had ruled since 1989. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was designated as his successor on 8 March.
Escalation and Retaliation
Iran responded with attacks on Israeli and US-aligned targets in the Gulf, intensifying the regional tensions. The conflict rapidly expanded to Lebanon, where additional casualties and damage emerged. Israel’s military claimed to have eliminated several high-ranking officials, including Ali Larijani, Esmail Khatib, and Gholamreza Soleimani, during the initial strikes. The US also targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and energy infrastructure, such as Kharg Island, a vital economic hub. A separate operation saw a US submarine sink an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, resulting in at least 87 deaths.
“The targeting of civilians and of countries not directly involved in the conflict is a clear violation of international law,” stated a US official in response to Iran’s retaliatory actions.
Human Toll and Regional Impact
According to the US-based group Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA), over 3,500 individuals have died in Iran since the hostilities began, with more than 1,600 being civilians. At least 244 children were among the casualties. Iran alleged that the US and Israel launched an unprovoked assault on a girls’ school near an IRGC base, claiming 168 victims, including around 110 children. The US is investigating the incident, while Israel claimed ignorance of such operations in the area.
The strikes spread beyond Iran’s borders, affecting allied nations. Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the UAE, and Kuwait reported casualties, with the UAE noting 13 deaths, including a civilian contractor. Kuwait saw seven fatalities, and Oman and Saudi Arabia each reported two. In northern Iraq, a French soldier was killed by a drone at a Kurdish military base. The Iraqi Ministry of Defence stated seven soldiers were killed in an airstrike in Anbar province, though the attacker remained unidentified. The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) confirmed 27 of its members were casualties.
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, four Palestinian women were killed at a beauty salon during an Iranian missile strike. Turkey reported that NATO air defenses intercepted three Iranian missiles over its territory. Azerbaijan accused Iran of drone attacks on an airport. Despite these incidents, international access to Iran remains limited, with internet connectivity severely restricted. As of 29 March, Israel’s ambulance service documented 19 deaths from missile attacks.
